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We conduct independent research into significant challenges to the economy, society and the welfare state in a global world.

Call for Papers: RFBerlin Migration Forum 2027

CReAM@RFBerlin invites submissions for the third RFBerlin Migration Forum, on migration, integration, and economic competitiveness, with keynotes by Jens Hainmueller (Stanford) and Giovanni Peri (UC Davis).
Submission deadline: 8 November 2026.

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Research

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The ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin Institute for the Economy and the Future of Work (RFBerlin) engages in research designed to raise the standard of public debate and create the best possible basis for policy making.

Discussion papers

No. 276/26 - October 2026

The Labour Market Dynamics of Households. Eyes Down for a Full House.

Jonathan Wadsworth, Paul Gregg

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No. 275/26 - October 2026

Inheritance Customs and the European Marriage Pattern

Matthew Curtis, Paula E. Gobbi, Marc Goñi, Joanne Haddad

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No. 274/26 - October 2026

Randomized to Opportunity: Measuring Place Effects for Refugee Children

N. Meltem Daysal, Joseph J. Doyle, Jr., Naeim S. Samandari, Emil A. L. Simonsen, Mircea Trandafir

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No. 273/26 - October 2026

Access to Jobs and Individual Labor Market Outcomes

Andreas Mense, Wolfgang Dauth, Matthias Wrede

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Research Insights

Concise, research-based articles for scholars,
policymakers, and anyone curious about the world.

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No. 35/26 - September 2026

Who Gains When Restaurants Adopt Digital Platforms?

When a restaurant adopts a delivery platform, it gains access to new markets and a workforce outside its own payroll. This changes the boundary of the firm: tasks that once had to be done inside the restaurant, or were too costly to provide at all, can now be supplied through a platform. This study asks who wins and who loses when this happens.

Human Capital Opportunity Technology

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No. 34/26 - September 2026

Salary Caps for Public Managers: Cutting Costs, or Losing Talent?

Salary caps for public-sector workers are a popular policy in many countries. While these caps can contribute to fiscal savings, many argue that they also undermine the efficiency of public-sector organizations by driving talented workers away.

Human Capital Opportunity

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No. 33/26 - September 2026

Life-cycle effects of public childcare: Evidence on children and their parents

How does access to public childcare shape the career trajectories of parents? And, what is the active ingredient behind the long-term impacts of childcare programs on children’s labor market outcomes?

Opportunity

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CReAM Reports

Data-driven reports on migration and related economic and social trends, highlighting the latest developments across Europe and beyond.

All CReAM Reports

No. 5/25 - October 2025

From Syria to Ukraine: Refugee Inflows and Trends in the European Union

The EU refugee population rose from about 1 million in 2014 to 7.8 million in 2024, driven by Syria and then the larger post-2022 Ukraine inflow. Germany remains the main host, but growth has been faster and uneven across countries, increasing pressure on asylum systems.

Human Capital Migration Opportunity

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No. 4/25 - July 2025

Employment of Migrants in the European Union

Employment in the EU has risen for all groups. EU migrants have the highest rates, non-EU migrants have improved but still lag, mainly due to lower employment among non-EU women, while men’s rates are similar across groups.

Human Capital Labor Force Migration Opportunity

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No. 3/25 - June 2025

Education of Migrants in the European Union

Tertiary education among EU migrants has risen steadily, with EU migrants nearing native levels and non-EU migrants closing the gap. Differences remain across countries and groups, with women generally more educated than men.

Human Capital Migration Opportunity

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News

RFBerlin research and researchers are regularly featured in the press.

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CReAM at RFBerlin Podcast

13 Aug 2026 • RFBerlin Podcast: Working Papers

Moving away? How people decide to migrate, and whether any policy can change it.

Listen now

Announcement Podcast

12 Aug 2026

Introducing Working Papers: a new podcast season from RFBerlin

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CReAM at RFBerlin Press

26 Jul 2026 • Radio France Internationale

Tommaso Frattini speaks on record immigrant employment in the EU

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CReAM at RFBerlin Press

24 Jul 2026

CReAM Report on the Employment of Immigrants in International Media

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Tweets by @RF_Berlin

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin

Verified account @rf_berlin ·

23 Oct

RFBerlin Director Christian Dustmann presented "Understanding Immigration's Labor Market Effects" at the Immigration Policy Lab's Science of International Migration Seminar (SIMS) series! Watch his full talk here:

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ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin

Verified account @rf_berlin ·

23 Oct

⏳ Just a few weeks left to submit to the RFBerlin Migration Forum 2027.
We welcome research on migration, integration, economic competitiveness, and more.
📅 Submission deadline: 8 November
https://www.rfberlin.com/event/migrationforum27/

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ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin

Verified account @rf_berlin ·

22 Oct

Next week Tuesday 27 October, we welcome Michael Keane, Wm. Polk Carey Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School to Berlin for our Applied Economics Seminar Series!
📄 He will give a seminar on "Human Capital and Optimal Taxation", exploring how

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ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin

Verified account @rf_berlin ·

21 Oct

With closing remarks by RFBerlin Director Christian Dustmann today's workshop comes to an end. Thank you to everyone involved, it was an inspiring day! 🎉

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Upcoming events

RFBerlin hosts a wide array of events aimed at fostering academic research and collaboration.

Applied Economics Seminar

3 December 2026

Anaïs Fabre (LMU Munich)

TBA

Applied Economics Seminar

2 March 2027

Kirill Borusyak (University of California, Berkely)

Applied Economics Seminar

9 March 2027

Matthias Doepke (London School of Economics)

View all events

Handbook of Labor Economics – Chapter Previews

In anticipation of the upcoming Handbook of Labor Economics, we offer early access to select chapters through our Discussion Papers series. Following our 2023 conference on this new edition, first chapters are now available for preview, featuring insights from leading research in economics and labor.

We conduct independent research into significant challenges to the economy, society and the welfare state in a global world.

Call for Papers: RFBerlin Migration Forum 2027

Become part of our research team

Research

Equity, Inclusion & Opportunity

Migration & Global Collaboration

Technology, Trade & Human Capital

Discussion papers

Research Insights

CReAM Reports

News

Moving away? How people decide to migrate, and whether any policy can change it.

Introducing Working Papers: a new podcast season from RFBerlin

Tommaso Frattini speaks on record immigrant employment in the EU

CReAM Report on the Employment of Immigrants in International Media

Upcoming events

Applied Economics Seminar

Anaïs Fabre (LMU Munich)

Applied Economics Seminar

Kirill Borusyak (University of California, Berkely)

Applied Economics Seminar

Matthias Doepke (London School of Economics)

Handbook of Labor Economics – Chapter Previews

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